Canelo vs Crawford is the super fight with a twist
The Independent|January 24, 2025
Mexican idol and US star set for September meet as fight fixer Turki Alalshikh strikes again,
Steve Bunce
Canelo vs Crawford is the super fight with a twist

It looks like the city, the venue, the weight and more importantly the money has been agreed for a fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.

Obviously, it could collapse in acrimony in the next few hours, but the relentless behind-the-scenes work by Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Arabian fight fixer, to somehow bring together two of the world’s finest boxers, from different weight classes, in an extraordinary fight that defies traditional boundaries is close to being official. It's the latest in the modern dream factory of fights.

Alalshikh has been briefing people for about six weeks in private meetings that the fight, which is one of his personal favourites, is getting closer and closer. His other chosen fight – one he has been talking about for close to a year – is the British showdown at middleweight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, and that, according to just about everyone in the sport, has been made for April.

The Canelo and Crawford bout really feels like one of the fantasy fights that boxing fans talked about for decades; it is a fight too good to be true, yet it is going to happen.

This story is from the January 24, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 24, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
Bivol gambles on rematch to banish ‘a tasteless life'
The Independent

Bivol gambles on rematch to banish ‘a tasteless life'

Dmitry Bivol talks Alex Pattle through the crucial details that could decide Saturday's 'revenge' against Artur Beterbiev

time-read
5 mins  |
February 19, 2025
The good, the bad and the ugly: celebrating 40 years of high drama in Albert Square
The Independent

The good, the bad and the ugly: celebrating 40 years of high drama in Albert Square

‘EastEnders’ may not be at its peak but every moment, from ridiculous reveals to social commentary, has played a part in four decades of cockney-fuelled fun,

time-read
5 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Will taxpayers foot the bill if Thames Water goes bust?
The Independent

Will taxpayers foot the bill if Thames Water goes bust?

Britain's largest, and most indebted, private utility, Thames Water, has been in financial difficulties for some time and has now been given another reprieve by the High Court.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Rick Buckler, drummer with The Jam, dies at 69
The Independent

Rick Buckler, drummer with The Jam, dies at 69

Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller said.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
THREE'S A CROWD
The Independent

THREE'S A CROWD

One thing that Mike White's hit drama 'The White Lotus' really nails is toxic female friendship, praises Olivia Petter

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Face-off in Madrid is City's most demanding game yet
The Independent

Face-off in Madrid is City's most demanding game yet

The perfectionist is aiming to be almost perfect. Manchester City have been wildly imperfect this season; it is why they think they are on the brink of their earliest Champions League exit since Roberto Mancini's reign.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Ball pressed pause – it's a rare skill we must all learn
The Independent

Ball pressed pause – it's a rare skill we must all learn

Weeks after a teary exit from her radio show, the national treasure was taking time off to work in a beach cafe. As the former editor of a magazine, Rosie Nixon can relate to a need to slow down and offers her approach to a restful reset

time-read
5 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Bailey brings precision and camp charisma to Richard II
The Independent

Bailey brings precision and camp charisma to Richard II

The 'Wicked' star delights in the speeches of Shakespeare's homoerotic text as the queer-coded despot,

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
US sets scene for seismic shift in Russian relations
The Independent

US sets scene for seismic shift in Russian relations

The US and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia yesterday that set the scene for a seismic shift in relations - and a potential turning point for the Ukraine war after three bloody years.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Man jailed for abusive and racist emails to politicians
The Independent

Man jailed for abusive and racist emails to politicians

A 39-year-old man who sent abusive emails to safeguarding minister Jess Phillips and Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has been jailed for 28 weeks.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025